This invention relates to biodegradable starch-based pellets which foamable by irradiation, which are particularly suitable for the manufacture of foam articles, characterised in that they have a porous structure with a low porous external skin. This invention also relates to foam articles obtained from these.

This invention relates to biodegradable starch-based pellets which foamable by irradiation, which are particularly suitable for the manufacture of foam articles, characterised in that they have a porous structure with a low porous external skin. This invention also relates to foam articles obtained from these.

An impact-resistant polyester material is provided, which includes a polyester resin matrix material, a toughening agent and a compatibilizing agent. The toughening agent and the compatibilizing agent are dispersed in the polyester resin matrix material. The toughening agent is a polyolefin elastomer (POE). The compatibilizing agent is configured to assist in improving compatibility between the toughening agent and the polyester resin matrix material. The compatibilizing agent is at least one of a polyolefin elastomer grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (POE-g-GMA) and a polyolefin elastomer grafted with maleic anhydride (POE-g-MAH). The compatibilizing agent is configured to assist the toughening agent to be dispersed into the polyester resin matrix material with a particle size between 0.5 micrometers and 1.5 micrometers, so that the impact-resistant polyester material has an impact strength of not less than 20 kg-cm/cm.

Water-based adhesive compositions are improved by the incorporation of hollow polymeric microspheres having outer surfaces coated with one or more barrier materials such as calcium carbonate particles. The adhesive compositions exhibit enhanced rheology, sprayability, drying time, tack and storage stability as compared to analogous adhesives that are not modified with coated hollow polymeric microspheres. Such compositions are useful as both contact adhesives as well as wet bonding one-way adhesives.

Water-based adhesive compositions are improved by the incorporation of hollow polymeric microspheres having outer surfaces coated with one or more barrier materials such as calcium carbonate particles. The adhesive compositions exhibit enhanced rheology, sprayability, drying time, tack and storage stability as compared to analogous adhesives that are not modified with coated hollow polymeric microspheres. Such compositions are useful as both contact adhesives as well as wet bonding one-way adhesives.

This invention involves the addition of ester bottoms to an asphalt paving composition to improve the usable temperature range (UTR). The ester bottoms are a byproduct of refining a feedstock containing all or a portion of vegetable oil or animal fat.

Methods for producing a resin film or a layered article which are excellent in gas barrier properties under high humidity conditions are disclosed. In the methods, a precursor film of a resin composition composed of alkali metal ions and a resin component having both hydroxyl groups and carboxyl groups is subjected to treatments including (i) dry heating treatment of holding the precursor film under an atmosphere characterized by a temperature not lower than 100° C. and a water vapor concentration less than 50 g/m.sup.3, (ii) wet heating treatment of holding the precursor film resulting from the dry heating treatment under an atmosphere characterized by a temperature not lower than 100° C. and a water vapor concentration more than 290 g/m.sup.3 or in water at a temperature not lower than 80° C., and (iii) drying the precursor film resulting from the wet heating treatment.

Methods for producing a resin film or a layered article which are excellent in gas barrier properties under high humidity conditions are disclosed. In the methods, a precursor film of a resin composition composed of alkali metal ions and a resin component having both hydroxyl groups and carboxyl groups is subjected to treatments including (i) dry heating treatment of holding the precursor film under an atmosphere characterized by a temperature not lower than 100° C. and a water vapor concentration less than 50 g/m.sup.3, (ii) wet heating treatment of holding the precursor film resulting from the dry heating treatment under an atmosphere characterized by a temperature not lower than 100° C. and a water vapor concentration more than 290 g/m.sup.3 or in water at a temperature not lower than 80° C., and (iii) drying the precursor film resulting from the wet heating treatment.

Composition comprising at least one vinyl halide polymer and 0.1 to 5% by weight, relative to the weight of the vinyl halide polymer, of at least one polymer of at least one acrylic ester obtained by polymerization in solution in a liquid medium comprising at least one chain transfer agent chosen among the C.sub.3-C.sub.20 hydrocarbons containing at least one secondary alcohol function. Process for its manufacture, article obtained starting from this composition and use of this composition for manufacturing sheets and films via calendaring or for manufacturing profiles by extrusion. Process for the manufacture of a polymer of at least one acrylic ester which can be used in the composition.

Composition comprising at least one vinyl halide polymer and 0.1 to 5% by weight, relative to the weight of the vinyl halide polymer, of at least one polymer of at least one acrylic ester obtained by polymerization in solution in a liquid medium comprising at least one chain transfer agent chosen among the C.sub.3-C.sub.20 hydrocarbons containing at least one secondary alcohol function. Process for its manufacture, article obtained starting from this composition and use of this composition for manufacturing sheets and films via calendaring or for manufacturing profiles by extrusion. Process for the manufacture of a polymer of at least one acrylic ester which can be used in the composition.